It was tough sledding for the Cougar bullpen in 2025. Third most walks (246), third-most earned runs (376), fourth-most hits (577) and the second-to-worst ERA (7.54) in the Mountain West Conference.
Pitching was the Cougs’ main Achilles heel in their inaugural year in the MWC. Game after game slipped out of their grasp as they dipped further and further into their bullpen.
However, with five righties signed in the offseason, the Cougs are looking to cure their woes on the mound for 2026.
Who are these new Cougs? Let’s take a look…
Lleyton Daily (transfer – sophomore)
After taking the mound for Chandler-Gilbert Community College last year, the 6-foot-3 Woodinville, Wash., native makes his way to the Palouse.
While in the sunset state, Daily appeared in 11 games, with five coming in relief. In these 11 appearances, he struck out 23 batters, walked 23 and gave up 26 hits. That final bill gave him an ERA of 8.26 and a WHIP of 1.96.
Plop him into last year’s statsheet and he fits right in the middle of the pack for both ERA and WHIP. The bullpen depth was a concern for the Cougs last season, and Daily is right on par for a performance of that nature.
Daily will most likely not start many games, but could make a few appearances out of the bullpen when called upon.
Ryan Falke (freshman)
From the Rockies, the Cougs are bringing in a leverage arm that dominated at the 5A level all through high school. Standing at 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds, Falke is exactly what the Cougs were looking for to cure their bullpen woes.
In his two varsity campaigns at Cherry Creek High School, Falke recorded an ERA of 1.90 and an overall record of 13-1. His senior year was by far the most impressive, with Falke posting a 2.70 ERA, an undefeated 6-0 record and one save. In that senior season, the Cherry Creek Bruins won the 5A State Championship for the second straight year.
Adding Falke to the roster balances out the back-end of the bullpen and helps compliment the Cougs’ late inning leverage relievers, like Rylan Haider.
August Richie (transfer – junior)
Although Richie started his collegiate career at Pima Community College, he comes to Pullman from the University of Virginia, where he played last season. In his single season with the Cavaliers, he made only two appearances giving up two hits, no walks and no earned runs through 1.2 innings pitched.
The Virginia stats do not paint the complete picture of Richie’s performance, making his freshman year a better reflection of the incoming junior. With PCC, Richie made 20 appearances, three of which were starts, in addition to 38 hits, 14 earned runs, nine walks, 35 strikeouts and a 3.67 ERA.
Additionally, Richie recorded two saves, making him a clutch arm who can keep games under control. As a middle reliever, he could bridge the gap from the Cougs’ starters to their closers.
Scott Rienguette (transfer – redshirt sophomore)
Despite three years under his belt, the Sudbury, Ontario, native joins the Cougs as a redshirt sophomore from Kansas State University. While with the Wildcats, Rienguette did not touch the mound once, nor did he in 2024.
His three years of college experience only had him pitching in his freshman year at Cloud County Community College. In his freshman showing, he struck out 20 batters, gave up four hits, six earned runs, nine walks and one home run. In just 9 ⅓ innings of work, his ERA spiked to 5.79.
His next two seasons had him riding the pine all year. With no D1 experience and two years since his last reps, it is hard to tell how impactful Rienguette’s addition is.
However, he does find a familiar face in the locker room. Senior infielder Gavin Roy played alongside Rienguette at Cloud County before he transferred last year to the Cougs.
Erik Rodriguez (Transfer – Junior)
Out of Riverside City College, the Cougs picked up a rubber arm. Rodriquez pitched a taxing 66 innings last season with Riverside, appearing in 15 games and starting seven.
In these 15 showings, he struck out a whopping 55 batters, walked 10, gave up 71 hits, 18 earned runs and posted a 2.45 ERA. He also pitched one complete game, picked up three saves and had a 3-1 overall record.
Rodriguez is truly a swiss army knife. Whether it is starting games or finishing them, he finds ways to save games. With all three of WSU’s primary starters returning this year, Rodriguez will most likely pitch out of the bullpen.
His ability to pitch for long relief outings could come up clutch for the Cougs when it counts.
